Previewing the Sunday Jets-Steelers NFL Week 2 showdown at MetLife Stadium:
Key Matchup
Bills QB Josh Allen vs. Jets Defense
After facing an energized Aaron Rodgers last week, the Jets face another tough challenge in Josh Allen, who is performing at an exceptional level. He secured his first MVP award last season and was impressive in a high-scoring win against the Ravens last week, throwing for 251 yards in the fourth quarter alone and leading his team to victory in the final moments.
The Jets’ pass defense struggled against the Steelers, showing multiple coverage lapses. They must contain Allen and prevent him from escaping the pocket, as he creates significant pressure on defenses.
“He’s a big, physical player, and he really stands out due to his competitive nature,” noted Jets coach Aaron Glenn. “He has the ability to win games for his team. Our will needs to be stronger than his—it’s a challenge for us.”
Last week, the Jets managed to sack Rodgers four times, with WilmcDonald contributing two of those. Allen has faced the Jets multiple times, recording 11 interceptions and 7 fumbles against them.
Important Tidbits
Secondary Issues: After the Steelers game, the Jets’ secondary was a glaring area of concern. Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns, with two of them resulting directly from defensive breakdowns. Outside of Sauce Gardner, other defensive backs struggled, particularly Brandon Stevens, who allowed a touchdown and missed an interception—costly errors for the team.
“Brandon has made strides in training camp, but he needs to keep working on finishing plays and tracking the ball better,” said coach Aaron Glenn, suggesting some optimism that he can improve.
Ground Game Performance: The Jets showcased their running game against the Steelers, rushing for 182 yards, with Brace Hall leading the way with 107 yards on 19 attempts. They’ll need to bring that momentum into this week’s game against the Bills, who also had a strong running performance recently.
With the Bills missing defensive tackle Ed Oliver due to an ankle injury, the Jets might find some openings. Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand mentioned the team’s focus on building from their performance last week as something to build on.
Division Goals: This will be Glenn’s first AFC East game as a head coach. The Jets haven’t won the division since 2002, and if they wish to change their fortunes, winning games within the division is critical. Last year, they went 2-4 against division rivals, including losses to the Bills. Glenn acknowledged, “The fastest way to the playoffs is winning your division, but I take every game as it comes.”
September Struggles: September has been a tough month for the Jets in recent years. After their loss to the Steelers, they now hold a 6-21 record in September since 2017, trying to shift that narrative with upcoming games against the Bills, Buccaneers, and Dolphins.
Starting 0-2 has generally been a bad omen for playoff hopes, making this game even more crucial.
Predictions
The rivalry between the Bills and Jets has shown tight matchups historically, especially at MetLife Stadium, with five of the last six games being decided by a single score. The Jets’ offense seems to be finding its rhythm, but Allen often proves too formidable.
Bills 31, Jets 30
